Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year C (2025) - Fr Mannes Tellis, OP

One of the most consoling images in the gospels is the image of the good shepherd. Jesus here likens himself to this pastoral occupation because it encompasses everything about his mission of gathering the flock, and particularly those who are lost. The parable of the lost sheep as found in Luke’s gospel particularly complements this imagery of a shepherd which John presents for us—a shepherd who will do everything to restore the sheep to its fold.

Yet, within the cultural and socio-economic environment of Jesus’ times the shepherd was often viewed with suspicion. He was often of low birth, on the margins, and looked down upon. Religious Jews would have disregarded this group for their failure to maintain standards of ritual purity.

Nevertheless, there is a strong tradition in the Old Testament of God favouring shepherds and even God himself is described as such. In Psalm 23 God is described as the shepherd who guides the sheep to a place of rest and comfort. Psalm 80 exclaims:

“O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned above the cherubim shine forth!”

God then is the true shepherd of Israel, the one who protects, nurtures, guides and sometimes disciplines his flock.

Within the history of Israel the Shepherd leader motif is demonstrated most prominently in the person of King David. It is this shepherd boy, the youngest in his family, that the prophet Samuel anoints. And it is this allusion Jesus is making when he describes himself as the Good Shepherd, meaning he will lead Israel like David did, but more so. Jesus and David both belonged to the tribe of Judah, and Jesus being the descendent of David is announced by the angel Gabriel:

“The Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, …” (Luke 1:32)

Jesus’ shepherd rule seeks to gather all the sheep into one fold. This fold is the Church. In the Nicene Creed we affirm that the Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. The oneness or unity of the Church is centred around Jesus the true Shepherd. But Jesus too provides shepherds for his flock in order that the sheep are well pastured and cared for and gathered together. This scenario was predicted by the prophet Jeremiah who, speaking once more to an errant Israel, forecasted a time where God would provide leaders for his people. Jeremiah thus conveys God’s words to his people:

“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” (Jer 3:15)

As we pray for our new Pope, Leo, that he may be a true earthly shepherd whom Jesus sets over us, let us hope that this new shepherd will feed the flock on sound teaching, compassionate leadership, and wise governing after the heart of Jesus the Good Shepherd.

Fr Mannes Tellis, OP is the Parish Priest of Prospect-North Adelaide, South Australia.